Unforgotten Brands: Medimix

More than five decades ago, when modern medicine was booming and Ayurveda was still met with hesitation, a green bar of soap quietly entered Indian households—and it has remained a staple ever since. That humble bar was Medimix, born out of a blend of tradition, necessity, and innovation.

A Doctor’s Kitchen, A Herbal Breakthrough

It was 1969, and Dr V.P. Sidhan, an allopathic doctor working with the Indian Railways, found himself facing a recurring problem. Many of the sanitation workers he treated were plagued with skin issues—rashes, infections, and chronic conditions. However, there was a catch: these workers often struggled to follow regular medical regimens. Creams and pills were impractical. What they needed was something simple, consistent, and effective.

Coming from a family of Ayurvedic practitioners in Valapad, Kerala, Dr Sidhan turned to his roots for answers. Drawing upon an ancient household remedy called Viprathi oil—used in the Cholayil family for generations to treat skin ailments—he created a new blend of 18 healing herbs and natural oils. This product was neither a cream nor a lotion. The result was a soap. And it came straight out of his kitchen, where he and his wife would handcraft every bar.

Medimix Is Born

With its striking green colour and unusual black-and-red packaging, Medimix stood out from the moment it hit the shelves. People expected Ayurvedic products to be mild, bland, and even mysterious, but Medimix was bold and direct. At a time when Ayurveda had limited acceptance, its launch was a daring move.

Initially, the soap wasn’t a commercial product. Dr Sidhan began by prescribing Medimix to his patients—sanitation workers and others with stubborn skin issues. Word began to spread. The soap didn’t just clean—it healed.

As its reputation grew, Dr Sidhan moved production out of his kitchen and into a small rented facility in Perambur, a locality in Chennai. There, with just one employee, he began manufacturing Medimix for a wider audience. Even so, the soap retained its medical association, with early advertisements proudly using the tagline “Doctors Prescribe Medimix.”

Growth Rooted in Ayurveda

The formulation remained unchanged: a blend of 18 carefully selected herbs, each with properties proven to nourish skin, fight infections, and restore balance. With Ayurveda at its core, Medimix was more than just a cleanser—it was a product of centuries-old science. As India gradually started to adopt traditional healing systems, Medimix coincidentally found itself in a favourable position.

Its rise was steady. From prescription soap to household name, Medimix expanded not through flashy campaigns but through trust and word of mouth. The iconic jade green bar became a staple in homes across the country—and later, in hotel bathrooms, travel kits, and export containers.

Today: A Global Ayurvedic Legacy

Fast forward to today, and Medimix is a global brand available in over 35 countries. It’s no longer just a soap—it’s a full-fledged Ayurvedic personal care line with products that continue to be developed using the same principles that began in a doctor’s kitchen.

Despite its global presence, Medimix has stayed true to its roots. It remains handmade, herbal, and Ayurvedic—a rare feat in today’s fast-paced consumer market. Its journey reminds us that the best ideas often come from addressing simple problems with sincerity, knowledge, and heart.

What Medimix Taught Us

• When made accessible, Ayurveda can find its place in contemporary life.
• Great businesses are often built not in boardrooms but in kitchens, clinics, and humble beginnings.
• Trust, rather than just marketing, can make a brand beloved across generations.

From 1969 to the present, Medimix has continued to blend science and nature—one herbal bar at a time.

Reference

https://yourstory.com/smbstory/medimix-soap-ayurvedic-personal-care-msme-chennai-entrepreneur-parineeti-chopra

https://www.thenewsminute.com/features/50-years-medimix-brief-history-india-s-largest-selling-handmade-soap-82272